Instrumented impact testing of glass reinforced polypropylene

The impact response of a glass fiber reinforced polypropylene was studied in a 3-point drop-weight impact test between ?15 and 85°C and at a constant impact velocity of 2.2 m/s (5 mph). The response is a combination of tension and shear and can be expressed in terms of an apparent modulus, E_A: 1 . Where E₁₁ is the tensile modulus, G₁₂: shear modulus, d: specimen thickness, and l: specimen length. For a 40 weight-percent glass reinforced polypropylene, E₁₁ was found to have a room temperature value of 5.8 GPa, and shear modulus of 0.43 GPa. Both decreased with temperature increase, with the shear modulus showing greater sensitivity to a temperature change. The fracture initiation and propagation energies were relatively independent of temperature. The fracture initiation energy per unit deformed volume was of the order of 1 MJ/m³. The total fracture energy was found to be sensitive to l/d: about 7 MJ/m³ at l/d of 5.3 and about 1.7 MJ/ m³ at l/d of 16.     

Flow behavior of well characterized polyethylene melts

A careful characterization and rheological study of low density polyethylene (LDPE) reveals that long-chain branching (LCB) plays a decisive role. At constant molecular weight (M?_w) higher LCB reduces the Newtonian viscosity η_o and the shear sensitivity, increases the activation energy E_o, and finally delays transition to pseudoplastic flow to higher shear rates and the onset of melt fracture to higher shear stresses (τ_d). The flow parameters η_o, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \dot \gamma _{cr} $\end{document}_cr, τ_d, and the derived flow relaxation times are uniquely correlatable by means of a modified molecular weight (gM?_w) incorporating the LCB effect. High density polyethylene are less shear sensitive than their low-density counterparts, have a lower activation energy, fracture at higher shear stress levels and cannot be regarded as branchless LDPE's.     

The influence of temperature on the impact behavior of unidirectional glass fiber-epoxy composite

The influence of temperature on the impact behavior of unidirectional glass fiber-epoxy composite was studied in the range of −20 and 150°C using a 3-point drop weight test at a constant impact velocity of 2.2 m/s (5 mph). The impact energy per unit deformed volume was found to be very sensitive to the ratio length/thickness of the specimens. When the ratio was 4, the impacted specimens exhibited extensive delamination (shear failure) and the energy absorbed by the composite was about 14 MJ/m³ between −20 and 100°C, and 18 MJ/m³ at 150°C. At length/thickness above 16 the failure was mostly in tension, and the impact energy approached a constant value of about 3.5 MJ/m³, independent of temperature.     

An interface model for the prediction of Young's modulus of layered silicate-elastomer nanocomposites

Recent experiments on layered silicate-elastomer nancomposites by Burnside and Giannelis have shown that there is a discrepancy between theoretical modulus predictions and experimental modulus measurements. A theory is proposed to explain this discrepancy. We hypothesize that the discrepancy is due to imperfect bonding between the matrix/inclusion interface which effectively reduces the aspect ratio and the volume fraction of the inclusion. We use a simple interface model to quantify the imperfect interfacial bonding. From this model, we introduce the concept of the effective aspect ratio and effective volume fraction of the inclusions. These effective quantities depends on a single material parameter, namely, the constant interfacial shear stress, τ. The interfacial shear stress for the elastomer-silicate nanocomposites is found by fitting the theory to the experimentally measured modulus of Burnside and Giannelis. The interfacial shear stress is in the range of thousands of Pascals. For the elastomer-silicate nanocomposite systems considered here, the interfacial shear stress can be decomposed into two parts; intrinsic shear stress τ_i and frictional shear stress τ_f. The intrinsic interfacial shear stress τ_i depends only on the volume fraction of inclusions and decreases with increasing volume fraction of inclusions. On the other hand, the frictional shear stress τ_f is found to increase linearly with the applied strain. Since the mean stress is also proportional to the applied strain, this gives rise to an effective coefficient of friction, which is found to be 0.0932 for the nanocomposite system considered here.     

Hybrid effects on mechanical properties of polyoxymethylene

The present study investigated fracture and various mechanical properties of polyoxymethylene (POM) hybrids in tension and in flexure. The hybrids examined consisted of short glass fibers (GF) and spherical glass beads (GB). Comparisons are made between experimentally observed values and predictions based on the rule-of-hybrid mixtures for hybrid strength, modulus, impact strength, fracture toughness, and strain energy release rates. Results indicated that tensile strength, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness of POM/GB/GF hybrid composites can be estimated from the following rule-of-hybrid mixtures where P_POM/GB and P_POM/GF are the measured properties of the POM/GB and POM/GF composites, and χ_POM/GB and χ_POM/GF are the hybrid ratio (by volume) of the glass bead and that of glass fiber, respectively. In view of this, none of the aforementioned properties show any signs of a hybrid effect. Flexural strengths, impact strengths, and strain energy release rate all showed the existence of a negative hybrid effect where negative deviation from the rule-of-mixtures behavior was observed. The latter was closer to the estimation based on the inverse rule-of mixtures.     

Impact specific essential work of fracture of compatibilized polyamide‐6 (PA6)/poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) blends

The essential work of fracture (EWF) method has aroused great interest and has been used to characterize the fracture toughness for a range of ductile metals, polymers and composites. In the plastics industry, for purposes of practical design and ranking of candidate materials, it is important to evaluate the impact essential work of fracture at high‐rate testing of polymers and polymer blends. In this paper, the EWF method has been utilized to determine the high‐rate specific essential fracture work, w_e, for elastomer‐modified PA6/PPE/SMA (50/50/5) blends by notched Charpy tests. It is found that w_e increases with testing temperature and elastomer content for a given specimen thickness. Morphologically, there are two failure mechanisms: shear yielding and pullout of second phase dispersed particles. Shear yielding is dominant in ductile fracture, whereas particle pullout is predominant in brittle fracture.     

Temperature dependence of the tensile strength of glass fiber–epoxy and glass fiber–unsaturated polyester composites

Epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins reinforced with random-planar orientation of short glass fibers were prepared and the temperature dependence of their tensile strength was studied. The tensile strength decreases as the temperature increases, and this tendency can be expressed in terms of critical fiber length l_c and apparent interfacial shear strength τ: where σ_cs is the tensile strength of composite reinforced with random-planar orientation of short fibers, L is the fiber length, d is the fiber diameter, σ_f is the tensile strength of fiber, σ_m is the tensile strength of matrix, u_f is the volume fraction of fiber, v_m is the volume fraction of matrix, and σ′_m is the stress of the matrix at fracture strain of the composite. The experimental strength values at room temperature are considerably smaller than the theoretical values, and this difference can be explained by the thermal stress produced during molding due to the large difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between glass fiber and matrix resin.     

Impact Modification and Fracture Mechanisms of Core–Shell Particle Reinforced Thermoplastic Protein

Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of Novatein thermoplastic protein and blends with core–shell particles (CSPs) have been examined. Novatein is brittle with low impact strength and energy‐to‐break. Epoxy‐modified CSPs increase notched and unnotched impact strength, tensile strain‐at‐break, and energy‐to‐break, while tensile strength and modulus decrease as CSP content increases. T_g increases slightly with increasing CSP content attributed to physical crosslinking. Changes to mechanical properties are related to the critical matrix ligament thickness and rate of loading. Novatein control samples display brittle fracture characterized by large‐scale crazing. At high CSP content a large plastic zone and a slow crack propagation zone in unnotched and tensile samples are observed suggesting increased energy absorption. Notched impact samples reach critical craze stresses easily regardless of CSP content reducing impact strength. It is concluded that the impact strength of thermoplastic protein can be modified in a similar manner to traditional thermoplastics.

     

The influence of velocity on the impact strength of glass reinforced polypropylene

The influence of impact velocity, between 1 and 8.7 meters per second (m/s) (2.2 to 19.5 mph), on the impact behavior of polypropylene, reinforced with 20 volume percent continuous glass fibers, was investigated in a 3-point bend test at 21 °C. The ratio of specimen span to thickness, which has a profound effect on the observed results, was varied between 5.3 and 26. An attempt to apply simple beam theory for the analysis of the initial specimen response to the high loading rate was successful, except for the lower than expected values of shear modulus. The stress to break and the tensile and shear moduli were found to increase along with velocity. The dependence of impact energy on velocity was observed to be affected by the span to thickness ratio: a positive dependency was observed at low ratios and none at high ratios. This is different from the negative dependency reported for polypropylene reinforced with short fibers, and is attributed to the influence of the continuous glass fibers on the impact behavior of the composite.     

Effect of strain rate on the fracture toughness of some ductile polymers using the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach

The plane strain fracture toughness of two ductile polymers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS), was measured by using the essential work of fracture approach. Truly plane strain fracture toughness (w_Ie) was measured for ABS at quasi‐static and impact rates of loading. For UHMWPE, the measured values were only “near” plane strain values (w_Ie*). It was confirmed both w_Ie* and w_Ie were independent of specimen type but dependent on strain rate. For UHMWPE, there was a negative strain rate effect, i.e., w_Ie* decreased with increasing loading rate. At low quasi‐static loading rate (v = 10 mm/min), w_Ie* was constant at 55 kJ/m². It then decreased to 15 KJ/m² when the loading rate was increased to 100 mm/min, and remained at that value even up to impact rate of loading (v = 3.7 m/s). For ABS, a mild positive strain rate effect was observed. w_Ie increased from 13 kJ/m² at v = 10 mm/min to 17 kJ/m² at v = 3.7 m/s.     

Effects of extrusion conditions on rheological behavior of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer melt

The influence of temperatures and flow rates on the rheological behavior during extrusion of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) terpolymer melt was investigated by using a Rosand capillary rheometer. It was found that the wall shear stress (τ_w) increased nonlinearly with increasing apparent shear rates and the slope of the curves changed suddenly at a shear rate of about 10³ s^?1, whereas the melt‐shear viscosity decreased quickly at a τ_w of about 200 kPa. When the temperature was fixed, the entry‐pressure drop and extensional stress increased nonlinearly with increasing τ_w, whereas it decreased with a rise of temperature at a constant level of τ_w. The relationship between the melt‐shear viscosity and temperature was consistent with an Arrhenius expression. The results showed that the effects of extrusion operation conditions on the rheological behavior of the ABS resin melt were significant and were attributable to the change of morphology of the rubber phase over a wide range of shear rates. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 606–611, 2002     

Is there any contradiction between the stress and energy failure criteria in micromechanical tests? Part III. Experimental observation of crack propagation in the microbond test

A direct observation of crack propagation in the microbond test was carried out for five different fiber/polymer matrix systems. This technique appeared to be a very effective tool for interface characterization. Experimental plots of the force required for further crack propagation as a function of debond length were analyzed using both energy-based and stress-based models of debonding. The fracture mechanics analysis was used to construct families of crack resistance or R-curves which showed the variation of energy release rate, G, with the debond length, and included the effect of interfacial friction in debonded regions. For the first time, analogs of the R-curves were created within the scope of the stress-based model to present the local shear stress near the crack tip, τ, as a function of crack length. In both models, the behavior of the interfacial parameter (G or τ) strongly depends on the assumed value of the interfacial frictional stress (τ_f). However, for each matrix/fiber system there exists such a τ_f value for which the investigated parameter is nearly constant over the whole region of stable crack propagation (70–90% of the embedded length). Moreover, these best-fit τ_f values for each specimen appeared to be practically the same for both energy-based and stress-based approaches. Thus, both interfacial toughness, G _ic, and local interfacial shear strength, τ_d, adequately characterize the strength of a fiber/matrix interface. Extrapolation of R-curves and their analogs to zero crack length allows measurement of the interfacial parameters with good accuracy.     

Relationship in polypropylene melt between its linear viscoelasticity and its steady capillary flow properties

It is the object of the present study to obtain clear knowledge of the relations in the polypropylene melt between its linear viscoelasticity and its nonlinear steady capillary flow, paying particular attention to the elastic properties in its capillary flow. By representing the linear viscoelasticity numerically with zero-shear viscosity, η₀, and steady-state compliance, J, evaluation has been made of the properties concerning the elasticity of polymer melt in the capillary flow, such as non-Newtonianity, the entrance pressure loss, the end correction, the Barus effect, and the melt fracture. The steady flow viscosity η, the entrance pressure loss P₀, the critical shear stress, τ_c, and the critical shear rate $\dot \gamma _c$ at which melt fracture begins to occur are subject to η₀ as follows: From the well-known relationship between η and the weight-average molecular weight M?_w, these quantities are governed by M?_w. Meanwhile, for such quantities as structural viscosity index N, end correction coefficient ν, and elastic pressure loss ratio P₀/P, following correlations hold: As η₀ and J are respectively determined mainly by M?_w and the molecular weight distribution MWD, these quantities are governed by both M?_w and MWD. Physical meanings of η₀·J and η₀² · J are, respectively, mean relaxation time and a measure of stored energy in steady flow. The Barus effect has a positive correlation to J, ν, and P₀/P. (The symbol ∝ employed here means positive correlation.)     

Fracture behavior of coated/uncoated graphite-epoxy composites

The static delamination behavior of graphite/epoxy composite specimens subjected to mode I tensile opening (using UDCB

1 Uniform double cantilever beam.

specimens), and pure mode II shear loading (using ENF

2 End-notched flexural.

specimens) were studied. The graphite epoxy composites for the study were made from commercially treated fibers, with and without an electropolymerized interlayer. The mode I fracture energy (G_IC) was found to be significantly higher (more than 50 percent) for the coated fibers. However, this improvement was accompanied by a high reduction (more than 3 times) in the mode II fracture energy (G_IIC). This effect is apparently related to poor adhesion between the interlayer and the epoxy resin, which may be corrected by use of a “top layer” of appropriate composition to form chemical bonds between the phases. The fracture toughness (K_IC) of composites made with commercially treated fibers was also evaluated, using double side-notched specimens.     

Critcal stress and recoverable shear for polymer melt fracture

The phenomenon of extrudate distortion, which is called melt fracture, was studied for polystyrene samples of narrow and broad molecular weight distribution, and commerical samples of polypropylene and linear and branched polyethylene. It was experimentally found that the shear stress at the onset of melt fracture (τ_cr) is of the order of 10⁶ dynes/cm² and independent of the distribution of molecular weights. As the weight average molecular weight increases the shear stress τ_cr decreases. For polystyrene extruded at τ_cr the recoverable shear strain, which is defined to be half the ration (first normal stress difference/shear stress), was found proportional to the factor M _zM _z+1/M _w² which represents the distrubution of molecular weights. The proportionality is expected to hold for other polymer systems. The polymer behavior at the onset of melt fracture was explained in terms of Graessley's entanglement theory and his correlation between true and Rouse shear compliance.     

Effect of multiple extrusions on the impact properties of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)‐based polymer nanocomposites containing organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) with and without maleic anhydride grafted PP, were compounded by twin‐screw extrusion. The extrusion process was repeated various numbers of times to increase the extruder residence time (T_R) and, through that, the particle dispersion. Rheological measurements fitted to a modified Carreau–Yasuda model defining a melt yield stress were used to indicate changes in the particle dispersion with regard to T_R. This analysis showed a monotonically increased dispersion of clay particles in the PP matrix with increasing extruder T_R. The small‐strain tensile properties were tested at both ambient (20°C) and elevated (90°C) temperatures, and no significant changes were observed in the tensile strength or modulus as a function of T_R. Instrumented Izod impact tests showed that the nanocomposite impact strength (σ_i) increased monotonically with increased T_R by 70% from least dispersed to best dispersed, which was still 20% below the level for neat PP. Both the fracture initiation energy and propagation energy increased with T_R, but the primary effect on σ_i came from the fracture propagation energy, which delivered 80% of the improvement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Mechanical properties of wood-fiber/toughened isotactic polypropylene composites

This study investigates the mechanical properties of wood-fiber/toughened PP composite modified by physical blending with an EPDM rubber to improve impact toughness. Wood-fiber thermoplastic composites were prepared with a modified PP matrix resin, employing high shear thermokinetic compounding aided with maleated PP for the fiber dispersion. The addition of EPDM improved the impact toughness, while it reduced stiffness and strength properties. To compensate the non-plane strain fracture toughness, the specimen strength ratio (R_sb) was adopted as a comparative measure of fracture toughness. The strength ratio increased with the addition of EPDM, while it decreased with increasing wood-fiber concentration. The work of fracture increased with EPDM level except at large wood-fiber concentration. The effectiveness of the impact modification was assessed with the balance between tensile modulus and unnotched impact energy as a function of wood-fiber concentration. EPDM rubber modification was moderately effective for wood-fiber PP composites. The examination of fracture surfaces showed twisted fibers, fiber breakage, and fiber pull-out from the matrix resin.     

A model relating the elastic properties of high-density polyethylene melts to the molecular weight distribution

An earlier model relating the variation of the steady-shear melt viscosity of high-density polyethylene to the molecular weight distribution is applied toward predicting the steady-shear elastic compliance, the first normal stress difference, and relaxation spectrum as a function of shear rate from the molecular weight distribution. The model envisions the cutting off of longer relaxation times as the shear rate is raised such that at any shear rate ${\rm \dot \gamma }$ the molecular weights and their corresponding maximum relaxation times τ_m are partitioned into two classes; the relaxation times are partitioned into operative and inoperative states, depending on whether they are less than or greater than τ_c, the maximum relaxation time allowed at ${\rm \dot \gamma }$. Equations relating molecular weight and relaxation time to the steady-shear elastic compliance and viscosity are assumed valid at nonzero shear rates, except for the partitioning effect of shear rate. The shear rate dependence of the first normal stress difference and the steady-shear viscosity for polyethylene melts is successfully predicted over the range covered by the cone-and-plate viscometer. The assumed proportionality constant between τ_c and 1/${\rm \dot \gamma }$ was determined to be 1.7. Using this relation, the maximum relaxation time at 190°C for a polyethylene molecule of molecular weight M is given by τ_m = 1.4 × 10^?19 (M)^3.33. Reasonable agreement has been obtained between the experimentally determined relaxation spectrum of a polyethylene melt and that predicted from the molecular weight distribution. The agreement is best at the longest relaxation times.     

Effects of Thickness,Deformation Rate and Energy Partitioning on the Work of Fracture Parameters of uPVC Films

Summary Unplasticised poly(vinyl chloride) (uPVC) films have been tested using the essential work of fracture (EWF) method. Influence of loading rate and film thickness on the tensile properties and work of fracture parameters was evaluated. In addition, energy partition analyses were carried out applying two different approaches (“yielding” and “initiation”), which differ in the treatment of the stored elastic energy. Results showed less effect of the film thickness and deformation rate (<l00 mm/min) on the EWF terms. On the other hand, the specific essential work of fracture (w _e) at high load rate (1.2 m/s) approached the yielding-related term (w _e,y) obtained at static loading rates (<l00 mm/min). Received: 16 July 2002/Revised version: 31 March 2003/Accepted: 29 April 2003 Correspondence to M. Ll. Maspoch